Coin controlled apparatus



Sept. 3, 1935. E. 1.. LIPP com CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed Dec. 15, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v INVENTOR: ELMER L. LIPP. @ZM %&

ATTORNEY Sept. 3, 1935. E. LlPP COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed Dec. 15, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENTORI ELMER I... LIPF.

ATTORNEY Sept. 3, 1935. E. LIPP 2,013,160

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed Dec. 15, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR: ELMER 1 LIPP.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 3, 1935 PATENT OFFICE com CONTROLLED APPARATUS Elmer L. Lipp, Los Angeles, Calif.. assignor, bymesne assignments, to Refining, Inc., Reno,

Nev., a corporation Nevada Application December 15, 1931, Serial No. 581,086

16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in coin controlled apparatus, and more particularly to electric time switches. 1

The principal object of the invention is to control electric time switches by a plurality of coins, of fixed denomination, to the predetermined cumulative value.

Another object is to delay the operation of the switch until the total coin value has been deposited.

Another object is to cause the preceding coins to divert the final coin in the series to the actuating mechanism.

Another object is to switch on a consuming power circuit for a predetermined period of time.

A further object is to dump the actuating coins if the consuming power circuit is opened.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

Among the advantages of the invention is the accumulation of a sum of coins-in the smaller denominations; equal to or greater than a single.

coin of larger denomination. For instance, coins of greater denomination than half dollars are not in general circulation. In the present instance the invention is adapted to the accumulation of four quarter dollars, before the power switch is operated, in contradistinction to switches controlled by a single coin such as one .dollar.

In this manner daily sums of money equal to an installment payment upon the purchase price of a machine may be mechanically collected at a greatly reduced collection overhead. Power consumption may be likewise paid for in advance. In this manner improvident persons are com-' pelled to meet their obligations to the vendor or forego the use of the machine.

It is proposed to add coin detectors and other precautionary mechanisms to the coin chute to' prevent the eifectiveness of spurious coins or other fraudulent operations wherever occasion requires. In the interest of simplicity the present disclosure is confined to the major essentials of the invention.

In this specification and the accompanying drawings the invention is disclosed in its preferred form. It is to be understood, however, that it may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention as delined in the claims following the description.'

In the three sheets of drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial vertical section .of the same after the required coins have been deposited to initiate its operation.

. Fig. 3 is a vertical. cross section showing the details of the timing mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the wiring circuits of the apparatus.

In detail, the construction illustrated in the drawings, referring more particularly to Fig. 1, comprises the casing I, having the lid 2 hinged to the casing at 3-3 and adapted to close the open front of the casing. The latch 4 is mounted at the side of the casing to engage the lid and may be suitably padlocked to prevent access to the contents of the casing by unauthorized per- 1 sons.

The plate 5 is mounted on the brackets 6- -6 within the casing (see also Fig. 3). The base I is spaced from the plate '5 by the brackets 8--8 upon which it is mounted. The base 'i has the extension 9 projecting upward through the top of the casing l. The bifurcated spacing block Hi and the face plate II are fixed to the extension 9 to form a coin chute open at its lower end and having the side opening l2 to receive the coin.

The transparent pane I3 is fixed to the base i at i l-I4 and spaced therefrom to permit the passage of coins therebetween. The guides l5 and i6 are fixed to the base 1 between the base and the pane m6 form the passage ll forming a continuation of the coin chute. The weighted dog I8 is pivoted at l9 between the coin chute and the guide l5 and has its curved lower portion extending into the path of the coins descending from the chute. The rounded ofideflecting lug 20 at the upper end of the dog is normally inoperatively retracted under the side of the chute, until the third coin enters.

The plate 2| is fixed to the base i at l4--|4 and has the inclined edge 22. The top of the guide It is angularly cut away at 23 parallel with the inclined edge of the plate 2|. The spacing block ill of the 'coin chute is also cut away at 24 adjacent the plate 2|, thus forming the angularly disposed coin passage 25.

The lever 26 is pivoted at 21 in front'of the pane l3 and is normally urged into the inoperative position shown in Fig. 1 by the spring 28 expanding between the lever and the casing I. The lever has the upwardly extending arm 29 which is adapted to impinge on the weighted stop 30 pivoted at 3| on, the coin chute. When the lever 26 is in the inoperative position, the arm 29 forces the end of the stop 30 into the coin chute, preventingthe descent of coins placed therein,

indicating an open circuit on incoming service line, which would render the coins ineffective.

The lever 23 also has the arm 32 extending downwardly therefrom. The detent 32' is fixed in the end of this lever arm and is adapted to be advanced into position at the bottom of the passage H as shown in Fig. 2, to retain the initial coins.

The arm 33 extends laterally from the lever 26 and has the lug 34 depending therefrom. The contracting spring 35 connects the lug 34 to the soft iron armature 33 pivoted to the bracket 31 by the bolt 33. The electromagnet 30 is fixed to the casing and coacts with the armature 33. The armature is normally urged into inoperative position by the spring expanding between the armature and bracket 31. The stop 4| limits the outward movement of the armature under the tension of the spring 32 by contacting the lug 42 depending from the bracket 31.

The disc 43 is fixed on the end of the shaft 44 and has the cam 45 adapted to cooperate with the stud 43 mountedpn the lever 23. The cam shaft 44 is driven by the squirrel cage type induction motor 41 which is energized by the inductive coil 48 wound on theusual laminated field magnet 49. The conventional electric clock reduction gearing 50 is interposed between the motor 41 and the camshaft 44 to time the rotatlon of the cam 45. This will vary for different uses of the apparatus. In the present instance, the motor and gearing is arranged to rotate the shaft 44 and cam 45 once every twelve hours and functions as a horometric mechanism started by the dropping ,of the final coin.

The lever 5| is pivoted at 52 between the base 1 and the pane l3 and has the curved shoulder 5| adapted to be impinged upon by the coin in the angularly disposed passage 25, see Fig. 2. The lever 5| is also provided with the lug 53 at its lower end extending into juxtaposition with the end of the set screw 54 in the bent ever end of the lever arm 33.

The dielectric roller 55 is mounted at the upper end of the lever 5| and is adapted to impinge on the spring contactor 55 having the non-burning contact point 51 in juxtaposition to the similar point 58 on the spring contactor 59. These contactors are mounted on the blocks Eli-3|, respectively, which are set in the dielectric base 32.

The wires 33, 64 are connected to the terminals 55, 56 and lead from the service line having the usual switch 31 interposed therein (see Fig. 4). The wires 38, 69 leading to the electromagnet-39 are connected to the service wires 33, 54, at 35, 35, to energize the electromagnet whenever the switch 31 is closed.

The contactor 59 is connected to the terminal 36 by the wire 10. The opposed contactor 55 is connected through the wire 12 to the terminal 13 having the consuming line wire 14 leading therefrom. The opposite wire 15 of the consuming line is permanently connected to the service line 33 through the terminal 13 and the conductor 11.

The terminals 13, 16 are connected through the wires 18'I9 to the field coil 43 of the induction motor 41. Thus the induction motor is driven whenever current is supplied to the consuming line.

The apparatus operates substantially as follows: The switch 61 is first closed, permitting current to fiow from the service line 33, 34, through the wires 33, 39 to energize the electromagnet 39. This attracts the armature 33, causing it to assume the position shown in Fig. 2.

Thespring 35 swings the lever 23 intothe operative position (see dotted lines Fig. 2) upon the movement of the armature. This removes the set screw 54 from engagement with the lever 5 permitting the resilient contactors 53, 59 to straighten out and separate.

The movement or the lever 29 into operative position removes the arm 29 from beneath the stop 30 permitting it to retract of its own weight, thus opening the coin chute. The detent 32 is also advanced into position, obstructing the bottom of the coin passage |1.

Three coins not the proper denomination are then deposited in the coin chute one after the other. These coins fall into the passage l1 until their movement is checked by the bottom coin coming to rest on the detent 32. The dog I9 is displaced by the uppermost coin, thus advancing the lug 20 into operative position beneath the coin chute.

The fourth coin :c' subsequently placed in the coin chute is defiected laterally by the lug 20 and the top coin m. The coin 0: comes to rest in a position between the guide l6 and the shoulder 5| of the lever 5|, pressing the eontactors 56, 59 together.

When the contactors are thus closed, current fiows. from the service line 64 through the wire 10, the contactors 53, 59, and the wire 12 to the consuming line 14. The current returns from the point of consumption through the wires 15, 11 to the service wire 63.

Supplying the consuming line 14, 15 also energizes the field of the induction motor 41. The motor then slowly drives the cam 43 at the predetermined speed through the reduction gearing 50. When the cam 45 approaches the end of its revolution, it impinges on the stud 45 and progressively tilts the lever 26 against the tension of the spring 35. This removes the detent 32 from beneath the passage |1 permitting the three coins :c to drop to the bottom of the casing I Further movement of the lever 26 presses the setscrew 54 against the end of the lever 5|, tilting the lever on its pivot 52.; this increases the distance between the guide l6 and the shoulder 5| permitting the coin :r" to also drop to the bottom of the casing.

The setscrew 54 continues to engage the lower end of the lever 5|, holding the contactors 56, 59 together after the coin :c' has been dropped. The motor 41 is thus supplied with current until the projection 45 on the cam passes the stud 45. The stud 46 may be filed away as at to insure accuracy in the operation of the cam.

When the projection 45 releases the stud 46, the spring as draws the lever 26 again into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. This withdraws the setscrew 54 from engagement with the lever -5I, thus releasing the contactors 56, 59, permitting them to straighten out and separate the contact points, see dotted lines Fig? 2. This shuts off the current from the consuming line and stops the operation of the motor 41. To restore the supply of current to the consuming line, it is now necessary to deposit an additional four coins in the apparatus.

Opening the service switch 51 discontinues the operation of the electromagnet 39, permitting the armature 35 to be restored to the position shown in Fig. -1 by the expansion of the spring 40. This also permits the lever 23 to assume the inoperative position shown in Fig. l by the expansion of the spring 23. This raises the arm 29 into engageposition with the service switch open is thus pre-- vented.

Should the service switch be prematurely opened during the course of the rotation of the cam 43 with a view to "conserving the operation of the time switch, the lever 26 is immediately restored to the inoperative position, thus dumpingthe actuating coins in the apparatus. Deposit of additional coins then becomes necessary to complete the cycle-of movement of the time switch. 7

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A time switch including switch contacts; a coin chute adapted to receive a plurality of coins and having a lateral passage; means for retaining the coins in saidchute; coin controlled means in said passage for operating said switch contacts; a dog mounted in said chute at the entrance of said passage and adapted to be displaced, after a predetermined number of coins are deposited in said chute, to deflect a succeeding coin into said passage into engagement with said coin controlled means; and horometrical means adapted to move said retaining means and said coin controlled means to dump said coins after a predetermined interval. I r

2. A time switch including switch contacts; coin controlled means for operating said switch contacts; a coin chute adapted to receive a plurality of coins and having a lateral passage, means for deflecting one of said coins into said passage into engagement with said coin controlled operating means; a lever arranged to retain said coins in place in said coin chute and adapted to displace said operating means; an electromagnet. connected to the main circuit of said switch and having an armature; a spring connecting said lever and armature and urging said lever into the operative position when said electromagnet is energized; a cam adapted to move said lever into the inoperative position, dumping the coins in said coin chute and displacing said operating means and dumping the coin in engagement therewith;

a projection on said lever adapted to operatively engage said coin controlled means when said lever is moved into the inoperative position; and timed means for rotating said cam when said switch contacts are closed.

3: A time switch having contacts adapted to be connected to a service line; coin controlled means to deliver a coin into engagement with said coin controlled operating means; a lever having electromagnetic means connected to the service line and urging the lever into operative position; a cam adapted to move said lever into the inoperative position; a projection on said lever adapted to operatively engage said coin controlled means, dumping said coin and holding said contacts closed when said lever is moved into the inoperative position; a consuming line leading from said contacts; and timed means for rotating said cam motivated from said consuming line.

4. A time switch having a coin control comprising a coin chute adapted to receive a plurality of coins; a passage intersecting said chute; means for deflecting into said passage the last of a series chute; means for moving said control lever into the inoperative position and dumping thecoins in said chute; and a projection on said control lever adapted to engage said operating lever when upon by said coin to close said switch contacts;

a control lever adapted to retain said coins in position in said chute; a cam adapted to move said control lever into the inoperative position, dumping the coins in said chute; a motor adapted to drive said cam at a predetermined speed and forming part of a circuit controlled by said switch contacts; and a projection on said control lever adapted to engage said operating lever when the control lever is in the inoperative position to dump the coin impinging thereagainst and to maintain said switch contacts closed after the coins have been dumped to continue the operation of said motor until the cycle of movement or said cam is completed.

6. A time switch including switch contacts; coin controlled means for operating said contacts; horometrical means controlled by said contacts; a chute adapted to receive a predetermined number of coins and having a lateral passage; means for retaining the coins in position in said chute; means for deflecting a subsequent coin into said passage into engagement with said coin controlled means; and means actuated by said horometrical means for moving said retaining means and said coin controlled means to dump all of said coins at a predetermined interval after the operation of said contacts.

'7. A time switch including switch contacts; coin controlled means for operating said contacts; horometrical means controlled by said contacts; a coin chute adapted to hold a predetermined number of coins and having a lateral passage; means for retaining the coins in said chute; means for deflecting a subsequent coin into said passage into engagement with said coin controlled operating means; and a cam actuated by said horometrical means adapted to move said retainadapted to retain said coins in position in said I ing means and coin controlled means to release said coins at a predetermined interval after the operation of said contacts.

8. A time switch including switch contacts in an electric circuit; coin controlled means for operating said contacts; means for retaining a coin in engagement with said coin controlled means; horometrical means controlled by said contacts; coin releasing means actuated by said horometrical means for dumping said coin after a predetermined period of time; and means in said circuit for operating said coin releasing means if said circuit is opened intermediate said period of time. I

9. A time switch interposed between a supply circuit, coin controlled means for closing said supply and consuming circuits; means for retaining a coin'in engagement with said coin controlled means; horometrical means controlled by said coin controlled means; coin releasing means actuated by said horometrical means for dumping said coins alter a predetermined interval; and electro-magnetic means in said supply circuit and adapted to operate said coin releasing means when de-energired.

10. A time switch interposed in an electric circuit; coin controlled circuit closing means; means for retaining a coin in engagement with said coin controlled means; means for releasing said coin after a predetermined period of time; and means for operating said coin releasing means ii said circuit is opened before expiration oi said period oi time.

11.. A time limit device of the character described, for permitting or preventing used a device or mechanism, including: a control element adapted to be placed in active and inactive condition and to be associated with said device or mechanism in a manner to respectively permitor prevent the use thereof; actuating means for placing said control element in active condition; a time limit means for returning said control element to inactive condition at the end of a prescribed period, said time limit means comprising an electric motor as the motivating element thereof; circuit means for supplying electric energy to said motor; and means for returning said control element to inactive condition, such returning means being connected to said circuit means and having a part which moves in consequence of the reduction oi the flow of electric energy in said circuit means to cause the return of said control element to inactive condition.

12. A time limit device of the character described, ior permitting or preventing use of a device or mechanism, including: a control element'adapted to be placed in active and inactive condition and to be associated with said device or mechanism in a manner to respectively permit or prevent the use thereof; coin controlled means operative to place said control element in active condition; a time limit means for returning said control element to inactive condition at the end of a prescribed period; and means operating in consequence of the stopping of said time limit means during said period to return said control element to inactive condition.

13. A time limit device 01' the character described for permitting or preventing use of a device or mechanism, including: a control element adapted to be placed in active and inactive condition and to be associated with said device or mechanism in a manner to respectively permit or prevent the use thereof; coin controlled means operative to place said control element in active condition; a time limit means for returning said control element to inactive condition at the end of a prescribed period, said time limit means comprising an electric motor as the motivating element thereoi'; circuit means ior supplying electric energy to said motor; and means operating in consequence of the stopping of the ilow of current through said circuit means during said period to return said control element to inactive condition 14. A time limit device of the character described, ior permitting or preventing use of a device or mechanism, including: a control element adapted to be placed in active and inactive condition.and to be associated with said device or mechanism in a manner to respectively permit or prevent the use thereof; coin controlled means operative to place said control element in active condition; a time limit means for returning said control element to inactive condition at the end of a prescribed period, said time limit means having an electric motor for operating the same; conductors forming an electric circuit for energizing said motor, and an .electro-magnetic device connected to said circuit, having an armature which moves in consequence oi a reduction oi flow of electric energy in said circuit and causes movement of said control element to inactive condition.

15. An apparatus of the class described including a, control element; actuating means adapted to render said control element operative; horological means adapted to be placed into operation by rendering said control element operative and adapted to restore said control element to inoperative condition after a prescribed period; means for stopping said horological means at any time and means operating simultaneously with said stopping of said horological means adapted to restore said control element to inoperative condition.

16. An apparatus of the class described including a control element; actuating means adapted to render said control element operative; electrically motivated horological means adapted to be placed into operation by said actuating means and adapted to restore said control element to inoperative condition after a prescribed period; an electrical circuit adapted to supply current to said electrically motivated horological means; a switch in said circuit and means operating in consequence of the opening of said switch intermediate said period adapted to restore said control element to inoperative condition.

ELMER L. LIPP. 

